In association with The National Archives, Findmypast is excited to release an extensive collection of records from criminal cases, gaols, hulks, prisons, and criminal calendars. England & Wales, crime, prisons & punishment, 1770-1935 is the largest single collection of British crime records online. Explore the world of courts and prisons, and discover if your ancestor committed a criminal offence and what your ancestor’s sentence was.

SeriesHO47, Home Office: judges’ reports on criminals 1784-1830 includes 6,890 records made up of transcripts and images of original letters and reports from trial judges on cases and criminals in which they call for commutation of sentence, free pardons etc. These letters often include details of the family circumstances of criminals as part of the reasons for clemency and so can provide a wealth of insight for genealogical researchers.